Mad Max - Night of Passion 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The fiery 1987 hard rock masterpiece with rare photos tracks and production secrets

Album cover for Mad Max's Night of Passion. The cover features the band's metallic logo on top, with four band members below, dressed in leather with classic '80s rock hairstyles. They pose against a neutral background with serious expressions, framed by a vivid red border at the bottom. The album title Night of Passion is displayed in bold, italicized text.

"Night of Passion" by Mad Max reverberates on a 12" Vinyl LP Album, showcasing the prowess of this German Hard Rock band from Munster. Formed in 1982, Mad Max left an indelible mark on the hard rock scene. In 1988, with Michael Voss, Jürgen Breforth, Roland Begrmann, and Axel Kruse at the helm, the band reached new heights. This album, a testament to their artistry, encapsulates Mad Max's contribution to the vibrant era of hard rock during their active years from 1982 to 1989.

Mad Max - Night of Passion Album Description:

In the heart of the hard rock scene of 1987, the German band Mad Max released their fourth studio album, "Night of Passion." This 12" vinyl LP, with its iconic cover art, marked a significant point in the band's career, showcasing a musical evolution while retaining their signature hard rock edge.

A Shift in Sound

While deeply rooted in hard rock, "Night of Passion" saw Mad Max experimenting with a slightly more commercial sound. This was evident in the album's production, which featured polished instrumentals and catchy choruses. This shift did not go unnoticed by fans and critics, with some praising the band's evolution while others longed for the raw energy of their earlier work.

The Music

The album kicks off with the energetic "Burning the Stage," setting the tone for the hard-hitting tracks to follow. Songs like "Wait for the Night" and "Wild and Seventeen" showcase the band's signature sound, with powerful vocals, driving guitar riffs, and thundering drums. The album also includes an instrumental piece, "R.I.P," and a ballad, "Star-crossed Lovers," adding diversity to the tracklist.

Production and Cover Art

"Night of Passion" was produced by the renowned team of Erwin Musper and Tony Platt, known for their work with AC/DC and Iron Maiden. The album was recorded at Karo Musikstudio in Brackel, Germany. The cover art, featuring a fiery image of a woman's face, perfectly captured the album's passionate and intense nature.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

German Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Music

Label & Catalognr:

RoadrunneR RR 9666

Year & Country:

1987 Netherlands

Producers & Engineers:
  • Dirk Steffens – Sound Engineer, Producer
    • Dirk Steffens is a notable figure in the German music industry as a record producer. He has worked with several prominent bands and artists, particularly in the hard rock and heavy metal genres. Here are some details about Dirk Steffens and the artists and recordings he has produced.
  • Kalle Trapp – Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician
    • Kalle Trapp, a legendary German producer and musician, revolutionized heavy metal production with his iconic Karo Studio. Renowned for shaping the sound of Blind Guardian, Destruction, Iron Angel, and many more, his innovative engineering techniques defined the power and aggression of 80s & 90s European metal. Discover more about his groundbreaking work at Kalle Trapp’s Biography.
  • Dan Johnson – Producer, Sound Engineer, Mix Engineer
    • Dan Johnson is a highly accomplished producer and sound engineer, renowned for his significant contributions to the heavy metal music scene during the vibrant 1980s era. Read Dan Johnson's Career
  • Uwe Ziegler – Sound Engineer
Recording & Overdubs:

Recorded at Karo Music Studio, Münster, Germany.
Drum overdubs at Morrisound, Tampa, Florida by Dan Johnson.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Michael Voss – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitars

    German singer, guitarist, and producer. Voss is the driving force behind Mad Max, but also known for his later work with Casanova, Demon Drive, Wolfpakk, and his extensive career as a songwriter and producer. His melodic voice and guitar style gave Mad Max their signature blend of hard rock and AOR.

  • Jurgen Breforth – Guitars

    Founding member and main songwriter of Mad Max. Breforth has been the steady backbone of the band since its creation in 1981, shaping their riffs and musical direction. Even when line-ups changed, he kept the Mad Max sound alive across decades.

  • Roland Bergmann – Bass, Vocals

    Bergmann was the bassist during Mad Max’s classic mid-80s period. His bass work added heaviness to the otherwise melodic compositions. He also contributed backing vocals, enriching the band’s harmonies on tracks like Starcrossed Lovers.

  • Axel Kruse – Drums, Vocals

    Joined Mad Max for Night of Passion. Known for his powerful and precise drumming style, Kruse later became internationally recognized when he joined Jaded Heart (a German melodic hard rock band) in the 1990s. He also provided backing vocals, giving extra punch to live and studio performances.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Burning The Stage
  2. Wait For The Night
  3. R.I.P.
  4. Dive Through The Sky
  5. Wild And Seventeen
Video: Mad Max Burning the stage
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Hearts On Fire
  2. Love Loaded
  3. Night Of Passion
  4. Starcrossed Lovers
  5. Fox On The Run Cover – The Sweet
Video: Mad Max - Night Of Passion

💡 Did you know? The closing track, "Fox on the Run", is not a Mad Max original but a fiery cover of the 1974 glam rock anthem by The Sweet . By giving the song a heavier, late-80s hard rock treatment, Mad Max paid tribute to one of their biggest influences while stamping it with their own energy and style — a fitting finale to Night of Passion.

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of the Mad Max album Night of Passion. The design has a bold blue background with the band's metallic chrome logo at the top, sharply angled with lightning-like extensions. A wide red stripe cuts across the lower half of the cover. In the center, four band members are posed shoulder-to-shoulder against a neutral grey background. They wear leather jackets and glam-metal inspired outfits with layered textures. Each has dramatic 1980s hairstyles: voluminous, feathered, and styled with hairspray, ranging from blond to dark shades. Their facial expressions are intense and serious, projecting rock star confidence. At the bottom, the title Night of Passion is printed in large italic red capitals, standing out vividly against the blue background.

The album cover for Mad Max's Night of Passion radiates the theatrical spirit of 1980s hard rock. Dominating the top half is the band’s metallic logo, rendered in chrome with sharp, angular lines and lightning-like accents that give it an electrifying edge. The bright blue background intensifies the boldness of the logo and sets a dramatic stage for the imagery below.

Centered beneath the logo, the four band members stand shoulder-to-shoulder against a smooth grey backdrop. They are styled in leather and glam-rock attire with layered cuts, fringe, and textured fabrics. Their hair is quintessentially 1980s: big, feathered, and heavily styled, ranging from platinum blond to jet black. Each musician fixes the viewer with an intense, defiant gaze, underscoring their rock star confidence.

A striking red band runs across the bottom, framing the title Night of Passion in large italicized red capitals. The design fuses energy and attitude, creating a cover that both mirrors the high-octane sound of the record and captures the flamboyant aesthetic of its time.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of the Mad Max album Night of Passion. The top section features the complete track listing for Side A and Side B, including Burning the Stage, Wait for the Night, R.I.P., Dive Through the Sky, Wild and Seventeen, Hearts on Fire, Love Loaded, Night of Passion, Starcrossed Lovers, and Fox on the Run. Production credits appear alongside detailed notes: produced by Dirk Steffens with co-producer Kalle Trapp, engineering by Kalle Trapp and Uwe Ziegler, recorded at Karo Music Studio in Münster, Germany, and drum overdubs by Dan Johnson at Morrisound in Tampa, Florida. Musicians are listed: Michael Voss, Jürgen Breforth, Roland Bergmann, Axel Kruse, plus guests Gerhard Angel Schleifer, Joshua Perahia, Rolf Köhler, and Thomas Zink. The lower half presents four close-up portrait photographs of the band members against a vivid red background, showing strong makeup accents and intense gazes. Below the portraits are sections for special thanks, very special thanks, fan club information, and management contact details. A small Roadrunner Records logo and catalog number RR 9666 appear in the top right corner.

The back cover of Mad Max’s Night of Passion provides both functional detail and visual intensity. The top section clearly lays out the complete track listing for both sides of the vinyl, with song durations carefully noted. Beside the tracks, production credits highlight the collaboration of Dirk Steffens, Kalle Trapp, Uwe Ziegler, and Dan Johnson, along with recording locations in Münster, Germany, and Tampa, Florida.

To the right, the Roadrunner Records logo and catalog number RR 9666 affirm the album’s release details. Guest musician contributions are acknowledged, including Gerhard “Angel” Schleifer on guitars and backing vocals from Rolf Köhler and Thomas Zink. Beneath the text, a striking visual row of four portrait photographs dominates the design. Each band member is shown in sharp close-up against a vivid red background, their eyes emphasized with subtle makeup, projecting both glam style and hard rock defiance.

The lower portion carries extensive acknowledgments: “Special Thanks,” “Very Special Thanks,” fan club contact information in Germany, and management details for Straight Music. Together, the text and portraits create a back cover that is both practical for collectors and deeply expressive of the band’s identity in the late 1980s hard rock scene.

Close up of Record Label
Close-up of the Side 1 record label from Mad Max's Night of Passion vinyl LP. The circular cream-colored label is centered around the spindle hole. At the top, the Roadrunner Records logo appears in bold red with a boxed capital R. Around the outer rim in red text is a copyright warning about unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, performance, or broadcasting. On the left, it states Side 1 and STEMRA. On the right, catalog number RR 9666, stereo designation, playback speed 33 rpm, and LC 9321 label code are printed. The center features the album title Night of Passion, followed by the Side 1 tracklist: Burning the Stage (5:19), Wait for the Night (4:03), R.I.P. (0:59), Dive Through the Sky (3:08), and Wild and Seventeen (4:07), with a total time of 17:47. Beneath, the band name Mad Max is in bold capitals. Production credits include Dirk Steffens and Karl Trapp as producers, Dan Johnson as mixing engineer, and Michael Voss as songwriter. Publishing rights are noted as Roadster Music, with copyright © 1987 Roadrunner Productions B.V. Made in Holland appears along the outer rim. The layout is clean, symmetrical, and clearly legible.

This image shows the Side 1 label of Mad Max’s Night of Passion vinyl LP. The label is cream-colored with striking red and black typography, designed for clarity and authority. Dominating the top is the bold red Roadrunner Records logo, accompanied by a circular copyright statement in red lettering around the rim.

The left side indicates Side 1 and STEMRA, while the right lists catalog number RR 9666, stereo format, 33 rpm speed, and label code LC 9321. The center proudly displays the album title and the complete Side 1 tracklist, including Burning the Stage, Wait for the Night, R.I.P., Dive Through the Sky, and Wild and Seventeen, with the total running time of 17:47.

Beneath the tracklist, the band’s name Mad Max appears in bold, followed by detailed production credits. Songwriting is attributed to Michael Voss, with production by Dirk Steffens and Karl Trapp, mixing by Dan Johnson, and publishing under Roadster Music. Legal notices confirm © 1987 Roadrunner Productions B.V. and note the pressing as Made in Holland. The label’s balanced, minimal design embodies the professional presentation of late-1980s hard rock vinyl releases.

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